Trump: Palestine must return to talks for US aid

Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital led Palestinians to halt talks with US

By Fatih Erel

DAVOS, Switzerland (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday said Palestine had to return to peace talks with Israel in order to receive U.S. aid.

Trump arrived in the Swiss Alps on Thursday and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Last year, Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital led Palestinians to halt peace negotiation with the U.S.

"When they disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great vice president [Mike Pence] to see them, and we give them hundreds of millions of dollars in aid...money is on the table and that money is not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace," Trump said.

On Thursday, in a newsconference in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted on the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine after meeting with Netanyahu.

Trump will speak in a special closing session of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday.